Defendant in White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting charged with attempted assassination

Allen was charged with assault on a federal officer using a deadly weapon and using a firearm during a crime of violence.

Published: April 27, 2026 2:10pm

Updated: April 27, 2026 2:29pm

Cole Thomas Allen, who is accused of carrying out the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner Saturday, appeared in federal court in D.C. on Monday. 

Allen was charged on three counts: attempting to assassinate the president, transporting a firearm and ammunition with intent to commit a felony, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, The Washington Post reported.

Allen did not enter a plea.

Cole has been identified by authorities as a Donald Trump-hating and Kamala Harris-supporting video game developer who was a member of a far-left activist movement and his college’s Nerf Club. The 31-year-old teacher from California, is alleged to have attempted to sprint through security at the Washington Hilton on Saturday night in what authorities believe was a bid to murder Trump administration officials.

 

 

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